The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is under scrutiny after its response to the Palisades wildfire that devastated parts of the city.
Despite warnings about life-threatening winds, which could accelerate the spread of the flames, the department deployed a significantly smaller force than needed, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
Instead of mobilizing all available resources, they had just five engines on standby, leaving many areas, including the celebrity enclave of Pacific Palisades, underprepared for the destructive blaze.
Firefighters Warned of High Winds but Were Understaffed
Fire department officials had advance knowledge of high winds expected to fuel the fire on January 7, yet no additional engines were placed in the Palisades area.
The LA Fire Department instead allocated resources to areas like the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood, even though the fire was a growing threat in the western parts of the city.
A report later revealed that the department had access to 40 fire engines but chose not to deploy them, a decision that has drawn criticism from several former fire chiefs and experts in fire management.
Delayed Response as Fire Spreads
Only after the fire started spreading rapidly did the fire department call in additional engines and firefighters.
While Fire Chief Kristin Crowley defended the department’s strategy, citing limited resources and a high volume of regular emergency calls, others believe a more proactive approach could have reduced the fire’s scale.
Crowley explained that the department had to manage not only the wildfire response but also the daily demands of handling 911 calls, as the winds knocked down trees and power lines across the city.
Critics Argue More Resources Could Have Prevented Greater Damage
Former Battalion Chief Rick Crawford, who now serves as an emergency and crisis management coordinator, criticized the LAFD’s decision to delay staffing adjustments.
He pointed out that the department could have pre-deployed engines to high-risk areas the day before, a tactic known as “hit it hard and fast.”
Crawford argued that by keeping engines near the hillsides, the fire’s spread might have been slowed, potentially saving lives and property.
Staffing Shortage Impacted Response Time
Sources from the LA Fire Department revealed that no pre-deployment of engines occurred until the morning of January 7, despite being well aware of the impending high winds.
Firefighters who had already gone home were called back into service, but the department struggled with insufficient equipment, as many of the engines were either unavailable or inoperable.
This left firefighters without enough tools to effectively fight the fire.
Debate Over the Fire Department’s Strategy
While some argue that no amount of preparation would have made a difference due to the extreme wind conditions, others maintain that a quicker, more robust response could have mitigated the fire’s severity.
Deputy Chief Richard Fields defended the deployment plan, stating it was based on years of experience and balancing the city’s overall needs.
However, many critics believe that a better strategy could have been devised to handle such an intense fire situation.
Santa Ana Winds Continue to Fuel Fire Threat
As the fire rages on, it has claimed the lives of at least 25 people, with officials warning that the toll could rise as they gain access to areas still smoldering from the flames.
More than 84,000 residents have been placed on high alert, with authorities preparing for more dangerous fire conditions due to the Santa Ana winds.
Though not expected to be as severe as the previous week’s winds, these gusts could carry embers for miles, sparking new fires in an already devastated region.
With the fire season far from over, officials are urging residents to remain prepared for evacuations as the situation continues to evolve.
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